"What wheels fit?" The ultimate wheel post.

[deusexmaxima]

I am looking at my options and considering rims that I like. I found some rims in San Diego. They are E class rims and here is a pic of one:

They are 18" and have new tires size 245 45 18 for $400. What do you think of them and what do I need to do to make them fit.

[Christopher Schimke]

deusexmaxima, check with the seller, but I am pretty sure that those are 8.5" wide which just isn't a good fit on the front.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

[deusexmaxima]

[Kopasz]

deusexmaxima, those are some pretty sweet rims. Great deal too if the tires are relatively new. If they end up fitting, I say go for it!
_________________
adam

'87 Wolfsburg Weekender, Bostig Zetec

The rehabilitation of my Van can be found here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5949024#5949024

[Christopher Schimke]

deusexmaxima, show him this picture so that he knows what he is looking for. This is an Audi wheel, but the number will look similar. The numbers will be on the backside of the Mercedes wheel.

_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

[Christopher Schimke]

agpushkas, once you get those tires mounted, install one on the right rear, open the sliding door and measure how much clearance you have. That will tell you how thick of a spacer you can use (just like was described in the email).
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

[Kopasz]

Thanks Chris. That was the plan in the long run. For now, cost is a big issue and so is time. I have been slipping and sliding all about town for the past couple of months and today's fishtail kind of put me over the edge in terms of urgency to replace my tires.

Apparently, Eric D. (Vanagon-S) Can get me a modified sliding door swing arm to bring the door out further so that I can really push the rears out when the time comes.

I'll keep you posted when it comes to rear spacers.
_________________
adam

'87 Wolfsburg Weekender, Bostig Zetec

The rehabilitation of my Van can be found here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5949024#5949024

[deusexmaxima]

Im going to be checking out the rims I originally talked about. I found them on craigslist and the guy wants $380 for them:

Again they are 17x8 E class rims with 235 45 17 tires on them. One tire is almost new and the rest are worn. I'll let you know if I get them. Here is the pic from the ad:

[uncommonvw]

Picked up some new shoes for my Doka. Exactly what I was looking for at a very reasonable price. There are 4, I am repainting the fourth one from black to gold.

15x7 ET35 Ronal R9

Going to look at some Nokian WRG2 tires tonight for $400 (95% tread left) 205/70/15 100XL.

I am going to require some spacers and hardware.

I am thinking 10mm for the rear and 5mm for the front.

[Kopasz]

I always like how a van looks with a clean set of R9s. Can't wait to see them on your ride.

Loogy cam help with spacers, bolts, and lugs. t3technique.com
_________________
adam

'87 Wolfsburg Weekender, Bostig Zetec

The rehabilitation of my Van can be found here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5949024#5949024

[levi]

Nice r9s.
There's been a set with the same color combo on Craigslist at $200 for almost a month now, in an eastern state. I've been resisting buying them, and just sticking them in my garage. But at 50 bucks per wheel....
So, was that this set?
If so, you sure had them polished up nice.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[deusexmaxima]

Got my Benz rims 17x8 - all four with tires (235 45 17), caps and lug studs for $325.

Loog, what do I need to get them to fit?

[uncommonvw]

[levi]

Yeah, those are the ones then.
You got a great deal.

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1740824043.html

They're going to look great on the van polished up like that.
Hope you'll post some pics once you get them mounted.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[Kopasz]

those kick ass. glad you picked those up, and for a steal too! I just had my 17x8s mounted with the same tires this afternoon. What's your offset?

[Kopasz]

Alright, so I was sitting on these rims for about 8 months or so. Finally got fed up with the steel wheels and narrow tires and got these mounted this afternoon.

-OZ Saturn rims
-17x8
-ET35
-7mm spacer up front, none (yet) in the rear (I plan on going with a 25mm spacer after the sliding door bracket has been modified)
-235/45/17 Nexen N7000 tires

Here are some photos:

Before:

After:

_________________
adam

'87 Wolfsburg Weekender, Bostig Zetec

The rehabilitation of my Van can be found here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5949024#5949024

[deusexmaxima]

I believe offset is ET38 on mine I spent the evening cleaning then and working on some curb rash I think the only way to get rid of the rash is to sand down the rash with finer and finer grit until its gone and then polish This is according to what I have read online. I also tried it on the worst rim and it turned out pretty good. I think i need some ultra fine paper like 1000 and 2000 grit and wet sanding it Any suggestions on curb rash?

Here is a pic of the worst rim now polished up:

[Santana]

Those are going to look really good! Can't wait to see some pics on the van.

That method of getting rid of curb rash is great. I did that same thing on my wheels when I first got em. One of the wheels was pretty bad so I had to use a file, then several different sandpapers. Now the lips look pretty much new.
_________________
PHOTO GALLERY

[deusexmaxima]

[Kopasz]

My rims have a good deal of nicks and gashes. Not so much curb rash or chatter though.